Method of and apparatus for treating textile material



y 5, 1970 HQG. MULLER ETAL 3,509,746

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TEXTILE MATERIAL Filed Dec. 21, 1967 Fig.3 Fig.4

INYENTOR.

HERHANN e HULL ER BY Venues KRIMKER WWW United States Patent Int. Cl. nosr 17/02 US. Cl. 68-177 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method of and apparatus for the low-tension fluid treatment of textile material involves feeding the material to be treated downwardly onto the upper surface of a perforated drum or reel mounted for rotation about an axis extending horizontally and transversely of a generally horizontally oriented treatment tank containing the treatment fluid. This drum or reel is immersed at least partially beneath the surface of the treatment fluid in the tank, and is formed with a series of salient edges on its outer surface parallel to its axis of rotation and spaced uniformly of the periphery of the reel or drum. The downwardly fed material drapes itself over the salient edges of the drum or reel and over the surface areas thereof between the salient edges.

The drum rotates in a direction such that the material draped thereon is carried downwardly and beneath the surface of the treatment fluid, and is released from the drum beneath the surface of the treatment fluid and at a point where the drum would begin to elevate the material being treated toward the surface of the treatment fluid. As a result, the material is formed into a horizontally oriented and plaited or folded pile extending longitudinally of the tank with the major portion of the material being beneath the surface of the treatment fluid.

The drum or reel is located adjacent one end of the treatment tank and means are provided adjacent the opposite end of this tank for withdrawing the treated textile material from the tank. Treatment fluid circulating means are provided to withdraw fluid from the tank and deliver the fluid to a spray device for spraying treatment fluid on the upper surface of the pile of material moving longitudinally of the tank. Lateral guiding means are provided for the pile of textile material moving through the treatment fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the art of fluid treating textile fabrics, it is desirable to treat the fabrics under low tension. Such fluid treatment may comprise, for example, washing, bleaching, soaping, acidizing, dyeing, impregnating, shrinking, saturating with caustic soda, creping and the like, and may be applied to spreadout, sheet-shaped textile materials such as woven or knitted fabrics of any fiber materials, for example cotton, linen, rayon, rayon staple, synthetic fibers, and mixtures thereof.

Known arrangements for such fluid treatment of textile materials include devices which attempt to attain low-tension conveyance of the textile material through the treatment fluid by means of a driven material feeding device and a driven material extracting device, and wherein the textile material moves loosely through the treatment fluid and not under tension.

In a known arrangement of this type, the vessel provided for the treatment fluid is a U-shaped vessel, commonly called a boot. The material is moved through the fluid in this vessel, either by means of mechanical feeding and removing devices or by means of a removing device only. Upon its entry into a vertical leg or wing of the U-shaped vessel, the material is formed, by known elements, into a pile for the purpose of being immersed in the treatment bath under the effect of the weight of the pile.

In this known process, it is not possible to prevent, during formation of the pile, the weight of the textile material itself from causing press creases through the transversely extending folds of the sheet, particularly that portion above the fluid level of the. treatment medium in the U-shaped container. In subsequent treatments, for example in a dyeing process, such creases will have a detrimental effect in the form of streaks.

This unpleasant and undesired effect occurs particularly in the processing of easily floatable textile material in a device of the type mentioned, since considerable forces are required for immersion or submersion of the material in the treatment fluid. In order to overcome the resistance of these easily floatable textile materials to immersion or submersion in the treatment fluid, using the Weight of the material, a corresponding height of the pile of material, attained by plaiting, is required. At the. folds of the platted textile material in the pile, creases are actually pressed into the material.

In the known arrangement, it is partically impossible to transport easily floating textile material at even approximately low tension through the U-shaped vessel, since the buoyancy, which is considerable in view of the length of the wings of the vessel, has to be overcome. Consequently, the textile material will not move, as desired, through the treatment fluid in a wavy manner, but it will actually have to be drawn through the treatment medium or fluid by means of the removing device, the material being drawn from the pile, the major portion of which is positioned and formed above the level of the treatment fluid. However, this means that the dwelling time of the material in the treatment fluid is short, and, in order to compensate for this, a larger treatment vessel would have to be used. Such a larger vessel, however, would have even longer vertical wings or legs, so that the above-mentioned disadvantages would become even more serious.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the fluid treatment of textile fabrics and, more particularly, to a novel, improved and simplified method of and apparatus for the low tension fluid treatment of textile materials.

In accordance with the invention, the disadvantages of prior art procedures and arrangements are avoided by feeding the textile material to be treated to that peripheral surface of a driven, perforated reel or drum located outside the treatment fluid contained in a generally horizontally extending treatment tank. The material, lying against the periphery of the reel or drum, is then immersed into the fluid by rotation of the reel or the drum and is released from the reel or drum at that side thereof which, in the rotational direction of the reel or drum, is opposite the material immersion side and, at the latest, at the point of exit or discharge of the fluid contained in the perforated reel or drum. Thereby, the material is released from the periphery of the reel or drum, is folded and is moved horizontally and longitudinally through the fluid in the tank and in the form of a folded pile of material.

The apparatus for performing the method of the invention comprises a generally horizontally oriented trough or tank containing the treatment fluid. The textile material to he treated is supplied to this tank by means of a feeding device and is removed from the tank, under low tension, by means of a take-off or withdrawing device. The apparatus includes a driven reel or drum comprising a perforated casing having salient edges on its outer peripheral surface extending parallel to its axis of rotation and spaced uniformly around its periphery. This reel or drum is arranged in such a manner that at least a portion of its perforated periphery is immersed within the treatment fluid beneath the surface of the latter. The drum or reel receives the textile material loosely and outside the treatment fluid, submerges it into the treatment fluid, and then releases it. The material is released at an exit side of the drum which is opposite the material entry side of the drum, and is released in a folded condition.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved method for fluid treating, under low tension, textile materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide an im' proved apparatus for fluid treating, under low tension, textile fabrics.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a method and apparatus in which formation of creases in the fabric, during fluid treatment, is avoided.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a method and apparatus in which the textile material being treated is passed through a fluid treatment bath, under low tension, in the form of a horizontally oriented pile formed by plaiting the fabric.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the textile material to be treated is fed substantially vertically downwardly to a perforated drum or reel rotating about a generally horizontal axis and at least partially immersed in the treating fluid, with the material being carried into the fluid in contact with a surface of the drum.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus including a perforated reel or drum mounted for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis extending transversely of a fluid treatment tank and formed with salient edges on its outer periphery extending parallel to its axis of rotation and spaced uniformly of its outer periphery.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a method in which the material being treated is moved horizontally through the treating fluid in the form of a folded pile of material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic longitudinal and ver* tical sectional view through apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 are somewhat schematic end elevation views of different embodiments of perforated reels or drums used in the invention method and apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus of the invention is illustrated as including a trough-shaped container or pan 1 which is generally horizontally oriented and has an open upper side. Pan 1 receives the treatment fluid 2. A reel 3, driven by suitable driving means (not shown), is arranged on an axle 4 adjacent one end of pan 1 for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis extending transversely of pan 1. Reel or drum 3 is partially immersed in treatment fluid 2. The casing of reel or drum 3 is perforated. For example, it may be provided or formed with slots, or, as shown in FIG. 2, formed with substantially circular apertures 5.

The transverse section of reel or drum 3 is polygonal, and ribs 6 extend radially from reel or drum 3 at the intersections of this polygonal cross section. These ribs extend longitudinally of the periphery of reel or drum 3, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and are parallel to the axis of rotation of drum or reel 3. The reel casing is thus formed with a series of salient edges which extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the reel or drum and which are spaced uniformly of its periphery. While these salient edges are illustrated, in FIGS. 1 and 2, as comprising ribs 6, the salient edges may comprise the intersections of the faces of the polygonal cross section of the reel or drum 3.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate cross sections of other reels or drums which may be used in the invention. The reel casing 3, as shown in FIG. 3, is octagonal, as compared to the reel or drum casing 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and which is hexagonal in cross section. Reel or drum 3, shown in FIG. 3, also has the radially projecting ribs 6'.

In FIG. 4, a reel or drum 3" is illustrated as having a star-shaped cross section, and the points 6" of the star have the same function as the ribs 6 and 6' of the other embodiments, in forming the salient edges.

A textile material feed device is arranged above reel or drum 3, and is illustrated as having the form of an additional reel, drum, or roller 7. Above that end of pan 1 remote from reel or drum 3, there is mounted a textile material removal device shown as in the form of a squeeze device or squeeze rollers 8. Reel or drum 7, feeding device 3, and removal device 8 are driven in such a manner that a textile material sheet B may be guided over these elements substantially without tension and, in any event, with low tension.

In the operation of the illustrated apparatus, the sheetshaped textile material B, which is to be treated with the treatment fluid 2 contained in pan 1 and which is, if appropriate, to be prewetted, is loosely moved in the direction of the arrow by reel or drum 7 to a peripheral part of reel or drum 3 which is then positioned outside or above the treatment fluid 2. The textile material adheres to the casing of reel or drum 3 in such a manner that it is draped over the salient edges 6 and over the peripheral portions between the salient edges and is moved into fluid 2 by rotation of reel 3. It will be noted that material B is fed substantially vertically downwardly from reel or drum 7 to reel or drum 3.

Due to the fact that textile material B impinges loosely upon that part of reel or drum 3 which is then located outside or above the treatment fluid, the textile material, as shown by its engagement with rib 6, is prepared for subsequent folding and moves underneath reel or drum 3 to the side of the reel or drum 3 which is opposite the immersion side. At this exit side, textile material B is released from reel 3 upon reaching the level of treatment fluid 2, by the treatment fluid exiting, at this point, from the perforations 5 of the casing of reel or drum 3. During this release process, by means of preparation by the rib 6 or, in the other embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, by means of the rib 6' or the star points 6" corresponding to the ribs, and in cooperation with the buoyancy of textile material B, there is formed a folded pile 10. The width of the pile is a function of the distance of two successive spaced ribs and of their height. Alternatively, the width of the pile is a function of the distance between two successive salient edges and their heights.

Pile 10 is now moved continuously, by the following textile material B, and at or just below the surface of fluid 2 in pan 1, in such a manner that it floats horizontally toward the end of pan 1 remote from reel or drum 3. Guide sheets 11, shown in FIG. 2, and which are preferably adjustable to the width of the material to be treated, provide lateral guidance of the material moving along pan 1. The material B in accordance with its new formation, is removed from trough 1 after pulling off from reel 3, by the squeeze device 8.

It will be apparent that the invention provides, in the simplest and thus most nonexpensive manner, apparatus for subjecting sheet-shaped textile material, including even material of a high floating capability and material such as very sensitive fine fabrics which may be damaged by the slightest mechanical strain, to a protracted treatment in a fluid and in the most protected manner. A completely novel and unexpected result is that, using the described apparatus the most different and varied textile materials can be satisfactorily released from reel or drum 3 in the indicated manner and form the horizontally moving folded pile of material B, and that the apparatus would work equally well in using cold treatment fluid as in the case of using hot treatment fluid.

For certain treatments, a circulation of the fluid in pan 1 may be desirable. For this purpose, the illustrated apparatus includes a line 12 through which fluid may be withdrawn from the bottom of the pan or from just above the bottom thereof and, in any event, from beneath the pile of material 10, by means of a pump 13. Through the medium of a line 14 and a fluid feed device 15 in the form of spraying jets, spraying pipes, overflow chutes, or the like, pump 13 supplies the withdrawn fluid over the entire width of the pile 10 of material B. In addition to circulation throughout the textile sheet, this further and simultaneously insures a wetting of portions of the textile sheet B which may project above the surface level of fluid 2.

The method and apparatus of the invention provides for both a continuous as well as a non-continuous or intermittent treatment of textile material. As disclosed, the apparatus guides the textile material B in a continuous treatment. For the purpose of a noncontinuous treatment, the textile material B, when withdrawn from pan 1, is again moved loosely to a peripheral portion of reel or drum 3, for example through a roller 7. As compared to the position of roller 7, as shown in FIG. 1, the roller, in a noncontinuous treatment, would have to be displaced to the left.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for treating sheet-shaped textile material guided through a treatment fluid under low tension, comprising, in combination, a trough-shaped open top pan containing treatment fluid; a feeding device and a take-up device feeding the material to said pan and removing the material from said pan, under low tension; a driven drum mounted for rotation about an axis extending substantially horizontally and transversely of said pan, and having a portion of its periphery immersed in the treatment fluid in said pan; said drum comprising a perforated casing having a polygonal transverse section with its external periphery having salient edges extending parallel to the axis of rotation of said drum and spaced uniformly around its periphery and interconnected by plane surfaces therebetween; said feeding device feeding the material loosely to a peripheral portion of said drum then located outside the tratment fluid and over said salient edges and the plane surfaces therebetween; said drum, during rotation thereof, drawing the material thereon into the fluid and beneath the surface of the fluid, at one side of the drum, and releasing the material from its periphery at the opposite side of the drum beneath the surface of the fluid at the latest at the level of discharge of the fluid contained within the drum; said drum releasing the material from its periphery with consecutive uniform folds formed in the material to form a horizontally oriented uniformly folded pile of the material moving horizontally through the fluid away from the drum; said takeup device withdrawing the material from the fluid at that end of said folded pile remote from said drum.

2. Apparatus for treating sheet-shaped textile material, as claimed in claim 1, in which said salient edges of said drum are formed by ribs projecting substantially radially from the external periphery of the casing of said drum at the intersections of the sides of the polygonal transverse section.

3. Apparatus for treating sheet-shaped textile material, as claimed in claim 1, in which said drum has a regular equilateral polygonal transverse section.

4. Apparatus for treating sheet-shaped textile material, as claimed in claim 1, in which said drum has a starshaped reentrant polygonal transverse section.

5. Apparatus for treating sheet-shaped textile material, as claimed in claim 1, including elements positioned above said horizontally oriented folded pile and applying treatment fluid to said folded pile from above the latter.

6. Apparatus for treating sheet-shaped textile material, as claimed in claim 5-, in which said elements comprise fluid spraying pipes.

7. Apparatus for treating sheet-shaped textile material, as claimed in claim 5, in which said elements comprise sprinkling jets.

8. Apparatus for treating sheet-shaped textile material, as claimed in claim 1, including laterally spaced guide means positioned in said tank and extending along opposite sides of said horizontally oriented folded pile of material for guiding of the latter longitudinally of said tank.

9. Apparatus for treating sheet-shaped textile material, as claimed in claim 8, in which said guide means are adjustable to vary the spacing therebetween in accordance with the width of said material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,520,158 12/1924 Swain 68-158 3,199,317 8/1965 Walsh ...J l 68-62 X FOREIGN PATENTS 388,290 2/1933 Great Britain. 521,929 6/1940 Great Britain.

WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X-R- 68-62, 158 

